Thomas Herbert Harrington
Thomas Herbert Harrington, 83, of Washington, passed away peacefully, into the arms of his Savior, Tuesday, February 22, 2022, in Premier Health Center, after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Tom was born August 3, 1938, in Washington, the eldest of five children, to Harry Thomas Harrington and Helen Irene Beach Harrington. He grew up on Mounts Road, Lagonda, in South Franklin Township, graduating from Trinity High School in 1956.
On June 23, 1956, he married Marjorie Kay Weaver. Together, they raised a family of four sons.
Mr. Harrington was a longtime member of Allison Avenue Baptist Church, now Abundant Life Baptist. He served as financial secretary and, in later years, in the Donuts, Devotions and Dartball ministry.
When he started his family, Mr. Harrington worked as the golf cart mechanic at St. Clair Country Club. He was then employed by Washington International Sales and Service (owned by Suwak Trucking) until the mid-1960s, when he started Harrington Trucking Company, hauling produce from the Strip District in Pittsburgh to Washington Grocers Association in Houston, as well as to individual WGA stores. At the same time, he had a Star Route, delivering mail from the Washington Post Office to several smaller post offices in Washington County.
In 1970, Mr. Harrington gave up his business to begin a career as a Teamster tractor-trailer driver, hauling freight for CCC Highway out of the local terminal in Strabane. For the next 36 years, he drove for several companies, including Blue Diamond Trucking, Holland, and New Penn Trucking. He retired August 3, 2006, his 68th birthday, after amassing hundreds of thousands of safe miles along the east coast and into the south. His work ethic was unmatched and was a gift he passed along to his sons.
After living in several homes while growing his family, Tom built a house on Dividing Ridge Road in Buffalo Township, doing the majority of the work himself. Over the years, he continually maintained, upgraded and expanded the home that he loved.
With a formal education of a high school diploma, Tom attained the knowledge and skill at a near professional level as a vehicle mechanic, plumber, electrician, roofer, mason, landscaper, welder, carpenter, painter, and tax and finance advisor. He mastered gardening, fishing, camping, and baseball coaching.
Tom was a member of the Washington County Road Runners Club and enjoyed running and walking in many local 5K races.
Tom enjoyed being with his church family, fishing, detective TV shows, World War II history, Wild Things and Pirates baseball, coaching his sons’ baseball teams, jazz and classical music, Washington Symphony Orchestra concerts, classic cars and trucks, his Duncan Miller swan collection, his die-cast cars and trucks, black coffee, rhubarb pie, cabbage rolls, his mother’s home-baked bread, his father’s motorcycle and visits to Sarris Ice Cream with Margie.
He loved traveling to Missouri to see Jeff’s children and grandchildren. He loved relaxing by the lake at Tom’s cabin in Wisconsin. He loved fishing on the boat with Mark on Lake Erie. He loved Scott’s drumming and stories.
Surviving to mourn Tom’s loss are his wife of 65 years, Margie; four sons, Jeffrey (Jeannie) of Knob Noster, Mo., Thomas (Cynthia) of Woodbury, Minn., Mark (Roberta) of Prosperity, and Scott Harrington of Washington. He leaves seven beloved grandchildren, Jannah (Jamie) Bentley, Jacie Harrington, Justin (Shari) Harrington, Jennifer (JR) McKean, Andrew Harrington, Katherine (Jeffrey) Bauman and Paul Harrington; along with seven precious great-grandchildren, Tyler, Logan, Sophia, Lauren, Kayleigh, Olivia, Liam, and one more on the way. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.
Mr. Harrington was preceded in death by his parents; three siblings; his in-laws, Paul and Dorothy Weaver; and a stillborn son.
All arrangements are private. A service will be held at the family’s convenience at a later date.
View and sign the family’s guest book at pittsburghcremation.com.